Chevallier-Schwartz M, Babut-Gay ML, Sobel A, Heritier-Auge F, Dozon JP; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1996 Jul 7-12; 11: 145 (abstract no. We.C.3505).
Hopital Henri-Mondor, Creteil, France. Fax: 1 49 81 24 69.
Objective: Anthropological study of the perception of HIV by Subsaharan African women living in France; feasability of a similar large-scale study. Methods: 60 African women agreed to be interviewed by an ethnologist. They all visit MCH centres (i.e. free access to gynecological and paediatric care) - ideal meeting places for these immigrant women often in precarious social and administrative situations. 69 women of 14 different nationalities were contacted for these confidential 45 minute interviews and 60 accepted. Average age is 30 and average length of stay in France is 10 years. Results: All the women except one consider AIDS a serious threat. They associate the disease with STDs and know that it exists in their own countries. There is therefore no denial. Most of the information they have and which is meaningful to them, comes from Africa: cassettes, songs and slogans in native tongues. They feel that French prevention campaigns do talk about AIDS but do not apply to them or do not provide clear messages from their point of view (lack of practical information). Condoms are talked about. Three quarters of the women have heard about them. They know they are useful and where one can get them, but do not know in detail how to use them. One quarter of the women had never seen one. Condoms are not systematically used, because they are thought to be earmarked for "high-risk relations", that is outside regular relations. Conclusions: An anthropological field study proves feasible. Most prevention messages accepted as such are in native tongues and come from Africa. Care facilities such as MCH centres must be used to circulate material and promote condoms.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Africa
- Attitude
- Behavior
- Child
- Child Day Care Centers
- Condoms
- Female
- France
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Humans
- Mothers
Other ID:
UI: 102219744
From Meeting Abstracts